John Haugh
The dog days of summer are here, and while most in Glendale are
dreaming of a cool ocean breeze, two Crescenta Valley High baseball
players are dreaming of the major leagues.
Trevor Bell, a sophomore at CV, and Kyle Barratt, a senior,
displayed their talents Wednesday at Long Beach's Blair Field in the
2002 Area Code Games.
Both played for the Milwaukee Brewers -- no, not those Brewers --
along with other talented Southern California high school players.
The seven-inning game was designed to showcase their talents in front
of college and professional scouts -- there were more than 400 in
attendance in last year's event.
On this day -- the third of the prestigious event, which ends
Saturday -- Bell, Barratt and the Brewers struggled against the
Chicago White Sox in a 5-1 loss. The White Sox represented Canada and
the Midwest and southern regions of the United States.
Bell -- who was named Freshman of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports,
co-Player of the Year in the Pacific League, first-team All-CIF
Southern Section Division II and first-team All-Area -- would get the
first crack at White Sox pitching in the first inning. Despite some
good swings, the left-handed hitter's at bat would end when he took a
called third strike.
Was it a case of nerves getting to him?
"No, I felt good and I got a good night's sleep." said Bell, who
went one for three with two strikeouts.
"The lefty was a little hard to pick up because he hid the ball so
well."
Barratt, who was named first-team All-Pacific League and
first-team All-Area, received his first chance to hit in the second,
but he matched Bell's fate, striking out swinging. Barratt felt he
barely missed a few pitches.
"I fouled a couple straight back." Barratt said.
It soon became clear that this was going to be a day for the
pitchers, as many Brewer batters shared Bell's and Barratt's fate.
In fact, when Bell, who played right field, pulled a ground-rule
double down the first-base line in the sixth inning, it led to the
Brewers' only run.
Barratt, who went hitless in four at bats but fielded everything
flawlessly at third base, wasn't about to let one bad day tarnish his
dream.
"I'll come out strong tomorrow. Today, it just didn't happen for
me ... tomorrow will be better." Barratt said.
